Gauging device



y 4, 1954 w. F. ALLER 2,677,325

GAUGING DEVICE Filed Jan. 21, 1950 8 Sheets-Sheet l E i I l g o l I 1 i l INVENTOR.

BY E| l {WMJmyz W; F. ALLER GAUGING DEVICE May 4, 1954 8 SQUbS-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 21. 1950 INVENTOR.

g iw' W. F. ALLER GAUGING DEVICE May 4, 1954 e Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 21. 1950 May 4, 1954 w. F. ALLER 2,677,325

GAUGING DEVICE Filed Jan. 21, 1950 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 May 4, 1954 w. F. ALLER 2,677,325

GAUGING DEVICE Filed Jan. 21, 1950 8 Sheets-Sheet e madness Jen/n LOG/770% Pm s 04 AMP 69 U6: 1/5/10: "pod/W SELECTOR JOL 54 0/12:

/.56 PUMP MOTOR,

40 SELEGTOR.

M0702 39 STARTER.

5/ OF 6/9065 REL/7Y6 77/715 F012 6/71/65 l/f/iDS 70 84777.5

INVENTDR. W E

Patented May 4, 1954 GAUGING DEVICE Willis Fay Aller, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to The Sheflield Corporation, Dayton, Ohio, at corporation of Ohio Application January 21, 1950, Serial No. 139,891

Claims.

This invention relates to gauging apparatus and more particularly to apparatus for gauging different dimensions of an'article and marking the gauged classification according to the gauged sizes.

One object of the invention is to provide a gauging apparatus having a series of marking means each provided with different characters indicative of different article dimensions with provision for simultaneously and automatically applying the proper marks to the article in accordance with the gauging results.

Another object is the provision of a gauging apparatus having means for moving articles successively to a gauging station in which each article is gauged by a plurality of gauging heads that are movablev from normally retracted positions to article engaging positions, such gauging heads providing gauging means for automatically selecting the positions of marking devices and with provision for automatically applying the marks to the articles in accordance with the sizes gauged.

Another object is the provision of a gauging apparatus of the character mentioned in which the marking devices are operated by weights or hammers to indent the indicia of the marking means into the article.

Another object is the provision of a gauging apparatus for selecting sizes in three or more classifications with provision for setting gauging switches providing for such classifications by means of only a maximum and a minimum master.

Another object is the provision of a gauging apparatus for gauging the sizes of bores in a block and adapted to conveniently place the block in gauging position and automatically carry out a gauging cycle in which the sizes of the bores are applied to the block.

In the particular adaptation of the invention herein disclosed the gauging apparatus provides a loading position in which a cylinder block may be placed. The normal gauging and classification cycle is then initiated automatically. A by. draulic ram carries the block into gauging position against a positive stop and a hydraulically actuated locating pin then locates the block in gauging position. Having been located, gauging heads which measure the sizes of the cylinder bores by measurement of the amount of air leakage between gaugin nozzles in these heads and the surfaces of the cylinder bores are then automatically lowered into gauging position. If ining heads is stopped automatically. Having lowered the gauging heads to a predetermined depth the gaugin and selecting sequences are started and during gauging sequence the gauging heads operate in conjunction with electric switches and selecting mechanism which control stamping devices. The selectors set up and hold the proper classification of the stamping mechanism. If all bores are within tolerance individual counters for each of the several classifications are actuated and indicate the number of pistons required for each corresponding classification so that the proper piston stock can be built up for assembly. The size classification of the cylinder bores are automatically stamped on the cylinder block adjacent each bore. Having been stamped, the gauging heads are all retracted simultaneously and the selecting devices operate to normal position. The block locating means are retracted leaving the block free to be pushed on through the machine as the next block is brought into gauging position.

Setting and calibration of the gauging device is made by means of maximum and minimum master setting rings mounted in fixed position so that a gauging head can be withdrawn into one or the other of these setting rings 'for setup purposes, and provision is also made for setting the electric switches that provide, for example, five classifications of cylinder bore size merely by maximum and minimum masters and a calibrated pressure responsive device instead of requiring five diflerent masters, one for each size classification.

With the above and other objects in view as will be more apparent from the following specification and the appended claims, reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which,

Fig. l is a plan view of a gauging apparatus embodying the present invention, portions being broken away to show certain features of the block feeding and locating mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a from; elevation of the gauging apparatus shown partly in section and looking in the direction towards which the objects travel through the apparatus;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view through one of the marking mechanisms taken on the line 4-4 of Fig.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the marking mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a section on the line 'l! of Fig. 5;

terference is encountered the descent of the gaug- Fig. 8 is a detail view on an enlarged scale showing how the electrical connection is made between the rotating brush and the non-rotating parts of the character selecting device of the marking mechanism.

Fig. 9 is a detail showing the rotating brush which contacts successively with the several electrical terminals on the stationary connection block;

Fig. 10 is a schematic showing of the hydraulic system;

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic showing of the air supply system of the gauging heads;

Fig. 12 is a timing diagram showing the time sequence of operation:

Figs. 13a, 13b and 130 together show the electrical connection or wiring diagram; and

Fig. 14 is a chart of the classifications accomplished by the gauging switches.

Referring more particularly to the drawing in which the same reference numerals are supplied to like parts in the several views, the gauging apparatus in the particular embodiment herein illustrated-is adapted to gauge the eight cylinder bores of a cylinder block and provide for five different size classifications in the acceptable size range. Obviously the invention is applicable to other uses and it will be understood that the number of size classifications may be more or less than the figure chosen for exemplary purposes.

The apparatus comprises a main support or frame I having an article receiving stand or plate I I on which the cylinder block to be gauged may be placed. Tracks I2 flush with the upper surface of the plate II extend rearwardly into the gauging apparatus and between the tracks I2 is a guide bar I3 which may be received in the longitudinal groove of the cylinder block, the block itself being indicated in Fig. 1 at I4 and shown in dot and dash lines in Fig. 2 where it is in gauging position inside the main housing. The cylinder block is moved from its position on the plate II by means of a ram I5 which pivotally carries a bifurcated lever I6 on shaft I1. The ram I5 is guided on a stationary horizontal bar I8 and one end of the lever I6 is pivotally connected by means of a pin I9 to the end 20 of a piston rod 2| which operates in a long fluid pressure cylinder 22. When oil or other hydraulic fluid is supplied to one end of the cylinder 22 the piston rod 2| is ejected so as to move the lever I6 counterclockwise to a limited extent determined by abutments 23 on the feed block, thus first retracting the outer end of the arm I6 from the cylinder block and then picking up the ram I5 and moving it into position for engagement with a cylinder block on the plate II. As fiuid under pressure is supplied to the other end of the cylinder 22, a pull is first applied to the shorter end of the lever I6 to move the longer end of the lever out ready to pick up the cylinder block and as the piston 2I continues to move, the ram I5 and the arm I6 move together and shove the cylinder block into gauging position as shown in Fig. 1. Just before the cylinder block reaches gauging position, a cam surface 25 on the ram I5 engages a roller 26 on the end of a pivoted lever 21 carried by the main frame and moves that lever clockwise against the action of a spring 28 so as to project a stop toe fixed on the other end of the lever 21 into the path of travel of the cylinder block and stop the movement of the cylinder block at the proper point in its feeding travel. Just before the cylinder block reaches the stop toe 29 it also engages and operates a switch controlling lever 30 carried by the lever 21 to control a switch I54 which controls a valve governing the supply of hydraulic fiuid to a fiuid pressure cylinder 35 (see Fig. 2) so that a. bell crank lever 36 is moved counterclockwise into the position shown in Fig. 2 and projects a locating pin 37 into a hole provided at the proper place in the cylinder block to properly locate the cylinder block in exact gauging position. Promptly after this occurs a hydraulically controlled clamping ram 38 is lowered against the top of the block to assist in holding the block firmly in its located position.

The'apparatus is provided at each side with four gauging heads which are normally in a raised or retracted position but which are lowered after the block is in gauging position so as to enter the four cylinder bores 39 on each side of an eight-cylinder engine block. One of these gauging heads is shown at 40 in Fig. 2 and another at 4| in Fig. 2, and although the head 4| is lowered as shown in the drawing for illustrative purposes it should be understood that in normal operation all of the gauging heads are moved downwardly or upwardly at the same time.

The gauging heads are arranged on carrying bars 42 guided in sleeves 43 and normally held in a projected position with respect to the sleeve by means of springs 44. The four sleeves 43 at one side of the apparatus are carried by a slide 45 which is guided on the frame structure 46 and movable thereon by means of a pair of hydraulic cylinders 41 and piston rods 48. By supplying fiuid to the upper ends of the hydraulic cylinders 41 the gauging heads may be lowered into the cylinder bores and by reversing the fluid supply they can be moved outwardly to a normally retracted position. The slide 45 has a rack at each end meshing with a pair of speed gears 49 which are fixed to a common shaft 50 to provide a force balance that prevents slide 45 from binding or cooking in its guideways. The four gauging heads at the opposite side of the apparatus are similarly mounted and controlled.

It will be understood that each gauging head, such as the gauging head 40, is provided with a pair of opposed fluid leakage nozzles 52 connected to an internal passage or tube extending along the rod 42 and to a pressure gauge or other suitable fiow measuring device such as the gauge 53 one of which is provided for each gauging head. A further explanation of the actual gauging operation will be given in connection with the switch controls that are operated by each gauging head in order to energize one of a series of circuits according to which particular one of the five classifications in the tolerance range of acceptable sizes corresponds to the particular cylinder bore gauged. In accordance with the selected contact of a particular cylinder bore gauging device there is an automatic control of a marking or stamping mechanism which applies the proper indicia to the cylinder block adjacent the cylinder bore gauged.

A marking mechanism as shown in Figs. 2 and 4 to 9 inclusive is provided for each gaugin head. Each of these mechanisms has a series of characters of indicia such as numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, equally spaced on the periphery of a stamping roll 55 which is fixed on a shaft 56 journaled in the outer ends of two spaced carrying arms 51. These arms are fixed to one another and mounted for pivotal movement on a shaft 58 carried by a fixed bracket 59 on the frame I0. A spring 60 connected to the arms 51 normally holds these arms in a raised position in which the stamping roll 55 is slightly spaced away from the cylinder block and .in this raised position of the arms 51 a drive roller 6| fixed to the shaft 56 engages a friction drive wheel 62 on a shaft 63 which is driven by a belt 64. The several belts of the several marking mechanisms are driven from a common shaft 65 as shown in Fig. 2 from a suitable driving motor 14 shown in Fig. l. The shaft 63 is carried by an arm 66 pivotally supported on the stationarybracket 59 as will be apparent from Figs. 4, 5 and 7.

It will be understood that the continuously driven friction wheel 62 rotates the stamping wheel 55 continuously until the stamping wheel is stopped and this occurs when teeth 61 on the wheel 6| are engaged by a pawl lever 68 pivotally carried at 69, see Fig. 5, and yieldingly urged counterclockwise by a spring 10. Normally the spring I0 is overcome and the pawl 68 is raised from the teeth 61 by means of the spring 60 which holds a link II lowered and engaged with and depressing the projecting end of the pawl lever 68. Spring 60 is overcome when an electromagnet I2 is energized and this takes place at the proper time in the gauging cycle so as to raise the link II which is connected to the armature I3 of the electromagnet, thus permitting the pawl 68 to be lowered by spring into engagement with the proper depression of the stop wheel 61 which is thus arrested, stopping the rotation of the stamping wheel so that the proper numeral is facing the adjacent surface of the cylinder block. Having been properly located as will be further described, a hammer blow is applied to the marking wheel by a hammer or plunger I5.

The selection of the proper character or numeral corresponding to the gauged dimension classification of the cylinder bore is effected as follows: A fixed insulated ring I6 carried by arms 51 is provided with a series of electric terminals 'I'I equally spaced and corresponding in number to the number of individual characters or numerals on the stamping wheel, in this case five in number. Each terminal is adapted to be successively contacted by a wiper contact I8 on a flexible disk segment I9 which is carried by conductor ring 80 the periphery of which engages a contact brush 8| through which current is supplied to the gauging circuits as will be further described in connection with the wiring diagram. The wiping contact I8 rotates with the markingwheel and the arrangement is such that one of the five contacts 11 is energized at the proper time in the sequence of the gauging operation. If the size range of the cylinder bore is classified No. 2 for example, then the No. 2 contact of the terminals 11 will be energized and as soon as the wiping contact 18 reaches it a circuit is closed through the solenoid I2 energizing the solenoid and moving the armature I2 upwardly as viewed in Fig. 5, bringing the stop pawl 68 against the proper notch to stop the stamp wheel so that the No. 2 character is facing the upper side of the cylinder block. Shortly after the wheel 55 is stopped a blow is struck on the plunger or hammer so as to move the marking wheel downwardly about the shaft 58 which carries the arms 51, so that the raised numeral on the marking wheel is indented in the cylinder block which is thus classified in accordance with the particular diameter. After the stamp is applied, the spring 60 pulls the when the solenoid I2 is subsequently deenergized at the proper time in the gauging sequence.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the hammers or weights that strike the plungers I5 are heavy arms 83, one for each cylinder bore, pivotally carried on two spaced supporting shafts 84. Each of these arms'83 is raised to its normal elevated position, after the gaugin operation and the marking operation have taken place, by means of a roller 85, one for each arm, and carried by the slide 45 so that as the slide is raised to retract the gauging heads, the levers 83 are raised and after their upward movements have been completed they are latched in raised position by latching arms 86, see Fig. 2, carried by the two shafts 81. At'one end of each of the shafts 81 is an operatingarm 88 fixed to the shaft and pivotally connected to a link 89. The adjacent ends of the two links 89 are pivotally connected at 90 to a vertically movable piston rod 9| controlled by hydraulic fluid pressure and movable upwardly to the position shown in Fig. 2 so as to move the several latch arms 86 into latched position. At the proper time in the sequence of operation, however, an electric switch controls the fiuid supply to the fluid pressure cylinder in which the piston 9| operates so as to depress that piston and move the shafts 81 in opposite direction to release the latch arms 86 and permit the arms 83 to fall and strike the plungers of the stamping mechanism all at the same time.

There is provision in accordance with the present invention, for adjusting the parts of the air gauging system so that the various switches that are controlled by pressure responsive devices may be properly set to give several different classifications with the use of only a maximum and a minimum master instead of having a setting master for each one of the five different classification sizes. Thus in accordance with Fig. 11 air under pressure is supplied through an open shutoff valve I00 and a suitable air filter IOI to two primary pressure regulators I02, one for each side of the gauging apparatus. Each pressure regulator I02 is connected at its outlet side to four secondary pressure regulators I03, one for each gauging head. Connected to each of the pressure regulators I03 at its discharge side is a setting valve I04 and an adjustable restrictor I05, the restrictor being connected to a pressure gauge I06 and to the pressure responsive switches I0! and also to the conduit that supplies the regulated air under pressure to the discharge orifices 52 of the gauging head so that the amount of leakage taking place through the gauging nozzles depends on the clearance between the ends of those nozzles and the cylinder bore. The amount of this fiow is indicated by the pressure gauge I06 and also determines the condition of the pressure controlled switches I01. Each of these switches I01 may be of the character disclosed in Patent 2,448,653 granted September 7, 1948. The pressure gauge I06 may be a simple pressure gauge having an indicating needle and a scale having maximum and minimum indication markings and three additional equally spaced lines between the maximum and minimum markings on the scale to provide five difierent positions corresponding to the five different selections to be obtained. In setting up the apparatus for any particular cylinder bore the contacts of the three switches I01 are adjusted to operate at the particular pressures corresponding to the particular size classifications.

marking wheel up away from the cylinder block In making this adjustment the gauging head is aemsas first moved beyond its normal raised position by manual control of the various control switches of the electrical system until the nozzles 52 are inside the minimum master I09 contained in the master holder III which also contains the maximum master IIO. With the gauging head -"in'the minimum master I adjustments are made in the pressure regulator I03 and the adjustable restrictor I until the pressure gauge I05 shows minimum reading, or in other words until the indicating needle is opposite minimum marking on the scale. The gauging head is then moved into the maximum master H0 and adjustments are made if necessary in the setting of the regulator I03 and the restrictor I05 so that the needle of the indicating gauge I 06 reads maximum. Having adjusted 'the settings of the pressure regulator and the needle valve so that the pressure gauge correctly reads minimum and maximum when the minimum and maximum masters are opposite the gauging nozzles and having adjusted the switches I01 to correspond to maximum and minimum sizes, the operator positions the gauging head in the minimum master and partly closes the setting valve I04 to apply an additional restriction in the path of flow from the regulator I03 to the gauging nozzles until the needle of the gauge I05 comes opposite the size 2 classification mark. He then adjusts the switch I01 for the Number 2 classification. Further restriction is then applied by further throttling the flow by controlling the setting I04, still using the minimum master, until the needle of the gauge I06 reads size 3 classification and the switches I01, corresponding to size 3 classification, are then adjusted. This is again repeated to set the gauge for size 4 classification and then the setting valve I04 is opened so that the previously set adjustable restrictor or needle valve I05 will determine the pressure existing at the switches and applied to the pressure gauge and the gauging nozzles under gauging conditions. It will be understood that no adjustment is made in the setting of the restrictor I05 or in the setting of the pressure regulator I03 after adjusting those parts for maximum and minimum master settings with the maximmn and minimum masters in place. The addition of a further restriction by throttling the flow through setting valve I04 with the minimum master in place is a temporary expedient employed only during setup to apply proper pressure to pressure controlled switches I01 so they can be adjusted to the particular values obtained for the Number 2, 3, and 4 classifications. The same setup operation is then carried out on the air circuits of the other gauging heads until all of the gauging switches are properly adjusted.

Fig. 10 shows the hydraulic connections of the apparatus. Fluid pressure supplied from'a pump II4 connected to a supply tank H5 and operated by a motor III; which may be contained in the base of the frame I0. Fluid is supplied from the pump II4 to a pressure line H1 and returns to the pump through return line II8. These lines are connected to the feed ram cylinder 22, a clamp cylinder II9 which operates holddown clamp 38, the two left hand cylinders 41 which control the slide 45 holding the gauging heads, the two right hand cylinders 41 for the gauging heads on the other side of the apparatus, the cylinder 35 which controls the locating pin 31 and the trip operating cylinder which controls the piston 0| for tripping the hammer arms 83. Suitable valves are provided in the several hydraulic lines under the control of solenoids which will be referred to more iully in connection with the wiring diagrams so that these several hydraulic cylinders are supplied with fluid at the proper time for their intended operations.

Reference to the timing chart illustrated in Fig. 12 shows that at the start of the cycle a feeding or loading operation of the traverse ram first takes place and then immediately the 10- eating pin is moved into the work. After the locating pin is in place, the holddown clamp operates and the gauging spindles then start to descend and at the same time they start to descend the traverse ram starts to return to its normal position ready to engage the next cylinder block supplied to the loading plate II. After the gauging spindles have been lowered the various holding circuits and gauging lamps and indicating lights are energized and a time-delay relay is energized. This time-delay relay starts a sensing period in which the various gauging switches are connected to their respective relays. The selector circuits are then energized in accordance with the gauge results and after a predetermined time interval suflicient for all of the selections to take place, the selector solenoids are all energized and the stamp weights or levers start dropping. At the start of the sensing period various counters which automatically count the gauged cylinder bores of each particular size classification are energized. After the stamping operation takes place, the stamping levers are raised as the gauging spindles are retracted, the clamp and the locating pins are retracted, the selector and holding circuits are deenergized and the apparatus is ready for another cycle.

Current is supplied to the gauging apparatus, as shown in Fig. 13a, from a suitable power source connected through a supply switch I30 to the switches of the hydraulic pump motor II and the selector motor 14. A transformer I3I is supplied from the power source and is connected to the main feed lines I32 and I33. With the main supply switch I30 closed, the operator may depress switch I34 and close a circuit through the normally closed stop switch I35 to energize the switch controlling relay I35, the circuit being completed through a manually operable switch I55 a number of which are employed for use during setup operations. In describing the operation; switch controlling relays will be given reference numerals and the switches they control will have the same numeral with a sufllx letter. Thus the relay I35 when energized closes a switch I35a so as to apply a holding circuit around the start switch I34. Energizing the relay I35 also closes switch I35b to start the motor II5. This preconditions the apparatus for a gauging operation. The operator then pushes a second start switch I31 preparatory to intiating a complete cycle of operations. Closing this switch I31 completes a circuit through emergency stop switches I38 and through a relay I39 to close holding switch I 39a and circuit establishing switch I391).

Having established operating conditions the operator then closes cycle starting switch I42 completing a circuit to the relay I43 which closes a switch I43a. The circuit through relay I43 goes through a limit switch I44 which is closed until the holddown clamp is lowered, througha limit switch I45 (shown in Fig. 2) which is closed until the locating pin 31 is raised, through a limit switch I46 which is closed until the holddown clamp 38 starts to descend, through a manually controlled traverse return controlling switch I41, through a normally closed relay controlling switch 2I3b and through another relay controlled switch I18a which is closed as soon as switch I39b is energized to complete a circuit through relay I18 completed through the limit switches I80 which are closed as long as the gauging head carrying slides are in their raised positions.

When the start switch I42 is temporarily closed a switch I50 is opened to de-energize a relay II and open switch I5Ib to de-energize the holding circuit of the gauge relays that may have been closed from a previous cycle.

When relay I43 is energized it also closes switch I43b to complete a circuit through a solenoid operated hydraulic valve I53 which controls the traverse ram cylinder 22 illustrated in Fig. 10. This permits a supply of hydraulic fluid to move the rod 2| and pull the cylinder block into gauging position. At the completion of the travel of the cylinder block the pivoted lever 30 is moved counterclockwise by the block and actuates a limit switch I54. This energizes the lead line I55 and current is supplied through the normally closed manually operated switches I56, to energize a relay I51 which closes switch I51a to energize hydraulic valve I58 which controls flow to the locating pin cylinder 35. This causes the locating pin to be raised. When the locating pin is raised, the arm 36 releases the switch I45 and permits it to open but a circuit continues through relay I43 around through the holding circuit switch I 43a. However, the time this switch I45 opens is not important.

When relay I51 closes it also energizes holding switch I51b and a switch I51c. When the locatin pin 31 is fully raised it closes limit switch I59 to complete a circuit through the clamp relay I60 which energizes a solenoid operated hydraulic valve I6I which initiates downward movement of the holddown clamp 38. Relay I60 also closes a hold-in circuit through switch I60b. As soon as the clamp starts to move down it opens the limit switch I46 and here again the time of opening is not significant. When the clamp is fully lowered it closes limit switch I62 and opens switch I44 to deenergize relay I43 and deenergize the solenoid valve.l53 permitting return travel of the traverse ram ready to pick up another cylinder block. Return movement of the traverse ram opens the limit switch I54 which it controls and deenergizes the line I55 but this does not deenergize relays I51 or I60 which are supplied from the line side I32 through normally closed switch I5Ia controlled by relay I5I which is not energized.

When the switch I62 closes it energizes a line I63 which supplies current through normally closed and manually operable switches I 64, I65 and I66 energizing line I61, limit switches I69 and I10, I1I, I12, line I13, relay controlled switch I15a energizing relay I16. When the relay I16 is energized as just described, it closes switch I16a energizing solenoid operated hydraulic valve I11 to supply fluid to the cylinder 41 of the right hand bank and lower the slide that carries the gauging heads. At the same time a similar circuit is completed through a relay I19 to lower the left hand bank of gauging heads, energization of relay I19 closing relay HM and energizing the solenoid valve I80 for this purpose.

As soon as the slides carrying the gauging heads start down they open the limit switches :10 lay I19 thus further conditions the circuit through the relay I43 for a subsequent operation. Upon full descent of the gauge head slides the limit switches I8I and I82 are automatically closed to energize relay I83. This relay closes switch I83a to complete a circuit through a normally closed manually operable switch I84 through relay I5I and simultaneously energizes a time-delay relay I85. Energization of relay I5I closes switch I5Ic and also closes a switch I5Id so associated with switch Ilila as to close before switch I5Ia opens. This. transfers the energization of relays I60 and I51 to line I81 through closed switch I5Id, since switch I5Ia which now opens would otherwise deenergize those relays. Energization oi the time-delay relay I85 c oses switch I85a completing a circuit through closed switch I50, switches I83a and I84 and a closed time-delay switch I81a and energizes relay I88. This connects the gauge head switches to the gauge relays by closing switches I88a to I88) inclusive.

The several switches I880 to I88) complete circuits through relays I90 to I inclusive depending upon the operation of the gauge head controlled switches I01 which are controlled in turn by the air pressure supplied to those switches. The switches I01 operate to divide the acceptable size range into five diflerent classifications as will be further described. At this point it is mentioned that these relays I90 to I95 control circuits which energize only one of the five contacts 11 of the marking head to energize relay 2I0 closing switch 2I0a to energize the solenoid 12 of the marking mechanism at the proper time to stop rotation of the marking head when the selected numeral is facing the cylinder block. It should also be understood that only one marking mechanism for one cylinder is illustrated in the wiring diagram and that a complete wiring diagram would include similar circuits for each of the other seven cylinders.

It should also be understood that prior to energization of this solenoid 12, the motor 14 which operates the drive belts for the several marking mechanisms had been started'by closing control switches I40a through energization of relay I40 due to switch I83b closed by energization of relay I83 having taken place when the limit switches I8I and I82 closed as previously de scribed.

The electrical switches I01, see Fig. 13b, may be of the character disclosed in Patent 2,448,653, these being provided in groups of three for each cylinder bore and with each switch controlling two contacts both of which are closed if the dimension gauged is within a predetermined size range for which the contacts have been adjusted, the size range settings being different for the different switches so that five diflerent selections are obtained within the limits of permissible maximum and minimum tolerance limits. One of these switches as shown in Fig. 13b is provided with contacts I96 and I91 connected respectively to relays I90 and I9I. If the contacts I96 and I91 are both closed relays I90 and I9I are energized thu's closing switches I90a and HI a and completing a circuit to contact Number 5 of the contacts 11 of the marking mechanism. At this time switch I 92a remains closed this switch being controlled by relay I92 which remains open as the blade of this switch I01 is not closed. Thus switch I92b also remains open so that none of the other contacts 4, 3, 2 or I80 deenergizing relay I 18. Deenergization of re- 75 1 can be ener z AS 50011 as h Contact 18 11 of the rotatable wiping brush 19 reaches contact 5, a circuit is closed through lead I98 to energize the relay controlling solenoid 2I0 as previously mentioned. If for example thedimension of the bore is such as to fall in the Number 1 classification so that contact Number 1 would be energized, then all the contacts I96, I91, 200 and 202 of the switches I01 would be closed except the blades I99 and 29I which would be open. Thus relays I93 and I95 would not be energized but the other relays I90, I, I92 and I94 would be energized to open switches I920 and I94c and keeping switches I95b and I93b closed so that current flows only to contact Number 1. Then it is only when the wiping contact 18 reaches contact Number 1 that a circuit would be completed through lead wire I98 to energize the solenoid controlling relay 2I0. Contact Number 2 would be energized corresponding to a Number 2 classification when relay I93 is energized by closing contact I99 thus opening switch I93b to interrupt the circuit to the Number 1 contact and closing switch I930 to complete a circuit to the Number 2 contact, relay I95 remaining open and relays I92 and I94 being closed since they are connected in circuit through the closed blades of their respective switches I 91.

Relays I90 to I95 also control switches I90d to I95d and I 90c to I95e respectively to operate signal lamps I for the respective relay circuits.

As contact Number 1, for example, is energized and even prior to contact 18 reaching it, the wire 204 is energized to supply current through a counting circuit which is generally designated 295. There is an individual control wire for each of the five contacts of each of the eight different cylinder bores. The eight individual wires leading to the eight Number 1 classification circuits of the eight cylinder bores are all connected to one bank of a stepping relay having a wiping contact 296, which successively operates along all of these eight terminals and if all eight of them are energized it would produce eight steps in a Number 1 classification solenoid counter 281. In a similar manner, a stepping relay circuit and solenoid counters are provided for each of the other classifications. The stepping relay includes contacts 208 all of which must be successively passed over by a wiping contact 299 in any counting period before energization takes place of the relay 2I2. At the completion of the counting cycle when relay 2I2 is energized it opens switch 2 I2a to deenergize the relay 2 I3 and thus open a switch 2 I311 which must remain closed for the duration of the counting cycle but open' thereafter. I

The stepping action of the stepping relay is eiiected by rectifier 2I5 supplying D.-C. current to circuits 2| 6 for proper energization of a power solenoid 2I1 which furnishes power to move the wiping contacts through a complete cycle. Since the detail construction of the stepping relay is of no particular significance, a more detailed description seems unnecessary.

It has already been described how time-delay switch I85 closed to initiate connection of the gauge heads to their gauge relays. At the same time this occurred a circuit was completed through lead wire 230 to energize timer switch I81 which after a time delay closes switch I81?) and opens switch I81a. Closing I81b energizes relay 23I to energize the selector circuits that effect the marking. This is accomplished by 12 closing switch 23Ia supplying current from the line side I32 to the marking mechanism circuits. If all of the cylinders fall within the required tolerance range the switch contacts I96 and I91 are both closed and a relay 232 will be energized, such relay being provided in each selector circuit for each bore. One or the other of the relays I90 or I9I will be deenergized if any cylinder is outside the tolerance range and in such event no current will be supplied through the switches I90a or I9Ia and no current flows to the relay 232.

cylinder.

Within tolerance limits, however, relay 232 will be energized so that the counting operation can take place. The eight relays 232 when energized close their eight respective switches 232a, see Fig. 130, and energize relay 233 and when relay 233 is energized it closes the energizing switch 233a of the counting stepping relay, otherwise this relay would not operate. Furthermore unless some one of the contacts of each of the five marking contacts 11 are energized no current will be supplied through lead wire I92 to the relay 2I9 and the further sequence of operation will stop. The operator will then close switch 235 to cause the gauge heads to be retracted which in turn causes the clamp and the locating pin to be released or withdrawn.

It has been mentioned that relay 2) is energized when the proper numeral on the stamp mechanism has been selected for a particular There are seven additional relays, one for each of the other seven bores of the cylinder block, and each of these relays controls individual switches 2 I011 arranged in series, as shown in Fig. 131), to complete a circuit after all of the selecting circuits of the marking devices have been energized, through a relay 236, and also through a timing switch relay 231. Closing of relay 236 energizes a switch 236a. to energize a solenoid operated hydraulic valve 238 which controls the tripping cylinder to lower rod ill and trip the weight arms so that all of the marking wheels are simultaneously struck through their operating pins 15 and the several classifications of the different cylinder bores are simultaneously applied to the cylinder block.

Energization of the timer relay 231 closes switch 231a to insure continued energization of the selector circuits and act as a hold-in for the relays I5I and I85. After a time delay sufiicient for the hammer weights to drop the energization of time-delay relay 231 closes switch 231!) to energize relays 240 and MI to close switches 240a. and 240b, thus energizing solenoid operated hydraulic valves 242 and 243 which admits hydraulic fluid to the cylinder 41 on both sides of the machine and raises the slides that carry the gauge heads so they are returned to normal raised position. As the slides start to move upwardly they open limit switches I8I and I82 to deenergize relay I83, and open switch I63a, although the circuit is maintained through closed switch I5Ic to the relays I5I and I85. At the upper limit of movement of the gauging head carrying slides, the limit switches I60 are closed again energizing relay I18, opening switch "lb and deenergizing relays I69 and I61 so that the clamp controlling solenoid valve is deenergized to reverse the direction of flow to the cylinder I I9 and raise the clamp. Also a reversing of the direction of the fluid supplied to the cylinder 35 takes place to release the locating pin. The limit switches operated by the clamping mechanism and by the locating pin mechanism having been previously mentioned and these mechanisms return to their normal position because the switches themselves that they control are returned to normal position and condition the several circuits for subsequent gauging operation.

While the form of apparatus herein described constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise form of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Gauging means for simultaneously gauging a plurality of bores of a cylinder block comprising a support providing a gauging station for cylinder blocks, means operable to move a block into the gauging station, a plurality of gauging heads on said support, means controlled by said heads and including fluid pressure controlled switches, means operable to simultaneously move the heads into gauging engagement with the bores of the block, each of said heads having a leakage orifice which determines the pressure applied to the switches in accordance with the gauged dimensions of the bores, a marking stamp for each of said heads each having a plurality of indicia movable to a predetermined marking position, means controlled by said pressure switches for selecting the proper indicia in accordance with the dimensions gauged by said heads, means for automatically operating said marking stamps at a predetermined time in a gauging cycle for simultaneously applying the selected indicia to the gauged block, maximum and minimum masters selectively engageable with each of said heads, a

pressure gauge connected to the fluid pressure controlled switches and having indicia corresponding to the maximum and minimum masters and additional indicia therebetween, and means for temporarily adjusting the pressure to which the switches are subjected when one of the masters is engaged with the head for setting adjustment of the switches to operate at pressures between the values corresponding to the maximum and minimum masters.

2. A gauging apparatus for simultaneously gauging a plurality of bores of a cylinder block, comprising a support providing a gauging station for th cylinder block, means operative to move a cylinder block into the gauging station, means for definitely fixing the block in apredetermined gauging position in the gauging station, a plurality of gauging heads carried by said support in a normally retracted position, means operable to simultaneously project the heads into the cylinder bores of the block, a marking stamp for each of said heads having a plurality of indicia movable to a predetermined position, means controlled by each of said gauging heads for selecting the proper indicia on its respective stamp in accordance with the dimension gauged by said head,

weight members operable to strike said stamps,

in a normally retracted position, power means operable to simultaneously project the heads into the cylinder bores of the block, means for automatically stopping said power means to stop the movement of said heads when any head is prevented from entering a. cylinder bore, a marking stamp for each of said heads having a plurality of indicia movable to a predetermined position, means controlled by each of said gauging heads for selecting the proper indicia on its respective stamp in accordance'with the dimension gauged by said head, weight members operable to strike said stamps, and means operable automatically at a predetermined time in a gauging cycle for causing operation of the weight members to apply the selective indicia to the article.

4. A gauging apparatus for simultaneously gauging a plurality of bores of a cylinder block comprising a support providing a gauging station for the cylinder blocks, means, for definitely fixing the block in a predetermined gauging position in the gauging station, a plurality of gauging heads carried by said support in a normally retracted position, means operable to simultaneously project the heads into the cylinder bores of the block, a marking stamp for each of said heads having a plurality of indicia movable to a predetermined position, selecting means controlled by each of said gauging heads for selecting the proper indicia on its respective stamp in accordance with the dimension gauged by said head, counting means controlled by said selecting means for counting and totalizing the number of gauged holes individually in each size classification, means operable to strike said stamps, and means operable automatically at a predetermined time in a gauging cycle for causing operation of th last named means to apply the selective indicia to the article.

5. A gauging apparatus for simultaneously gauging a plurality of bores of a cylinder block comprising a support providing a gauging station for the cylinder block, means for definitely fixing the block in a predetermined gauging position in the gauging station, a plurality of gauging heads carried by said support in a normally retracted position, means operable to simultaneously project the heads into the cylinder bores of the block, a marking stamp for each of said heads having a plurality of indicia movable to a predetermined position, means controlled by each of said gauging heads and including fluid pressure controlled switches, each of said heads having a leakage orifice which determines the pressures applied to the switches in accordance with the gauged dimensions of the cylinder bores, means controlled by said switches for selecting the proper indicia on the marking stamps in accordance with the dimensions gauged by its respective heads, means operable to impress the stamps on the cylinder block, and means for timing the operation of said projecting means, gauging means and marking means to automatically produce predetermined sequential operation thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 443,119 Slick Dec. 23, 1890 1,241,261 Hawthorne Sept. 25, 1917 1,766,726 Standish June 24, 1930 1,909,888 Parker May 16, 1933 2,373,941 Benning Apr. 17, 1945 2,412,413 Moss Dec. 10, 1946 2,448,653 Aller Sept. 7, 1948 

